Market Notes
Sept 12th, 2024
SPACE FOOD
While we continue to struggle to feed people here in the USA and around the world, that does not stop us from looking to feed developments outside of our planet. About twenty-five years ago, in this weekly update, we wrote a science fiction blurb about food pods from space landing on earth to solve the hunger crises. Now we have a reality of growing for in space for people in space. Talk about a long, strange trip! A team of University of Nebraska researchers have one major goal: to launch the first center for agriculture in space. Whether it’s Mars or the moon, if people will be there, they’ll have to eat, and so researchers are exploring how to take agriculture out of this world. The team’s goal is to grow the first acre of corn on Mars’ soil, but today, the focus first is on growing leafy greens like lettuce. While the idea sounds like it’s worlds away, the work in the MAARS lab could revolutionize the future of agriculture. Robotic people and machines are already developed, but figuring out how to water in zero gravity remains a challenge. A reported breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology is poised to head aboard the International Space Station. Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have developed a genetically engineered tomato plant that grows to only a few inches in height. Also, a team led by Jinkerson is also developing a mushroom that can be grown on spaceships. “With our system, we estimate we can get about 4,000 calories per day,” Jinkerson said in the UCR Magazine article. “It’s a lot more than you could do with biological photosynthesis.” Lettuce, tomato, mushroom, corn salad. Think vertical growing meets Jack and the Beanstalk!
WARREN PEARS
The stone fruit season is gone, domestically, and as the crisp air of fall beckons, we look to apples and pears to feed our fruit fantasies. One of the best pears of the season is the Warren Pear. The Warren Pear was named after T O Warren from Hattiesburg, MS. Thought to be a seedling selection from the breeding work of USDA’s fruit breeder Dr. Magness, Beltsville, MD. Oprah likes it. Martha likes it. The LA Times likes it. The Warren Pear has a Mustard and rust colored skin with a nice long neck and plump body. White flesh. Its thin smooth skin and not gritty flesh has a very mild, sweet vanilla with a hint of cinnamon and clove. Overall, this pear has a complex flavor and rich texture. Great dessert pear and best eaten out of hand. Warren pears are now available organically grower direct, flown in “E” containers (20 cases per container), or consolidated in the LA or SFO markets. Please contact your Culinary rep for details. This is about a six week program.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???
I am a small evergreen tree, evolving in wild plants in the Amazon forests. I was originally cultivated by the Indians of tropical Central Asia. My seeds (beans) were exposed to the Europeans via Christopher Columbus. Today my popular growing areas are Central and South America, the West Indies, West Africa, and South East Asia. My flowers are reddish white, and I turn into pods that grow out of the main stem and branches of my tree, My pod containers 20 to 60 seeds that are green, yellow, red, or purple. Excruciating care is used in extracting, drying, and fermenting my beans that are often shipped to other countries with more temperate climates for processing. My beans are roasted and ground, then separated into liquid, solids, butter, and powder. Today I am one of the most famous tastes on this and many other planets. Parks, towns, and acts of physical violence have been named after me. Dermatologists have bought homes, boats, and islands attempting to counter my effects on human skin. Deadly to dogs in large amounts, I can wake you up and calm you down at the same time. February and December are my peaks seasons. Switzerland is my largest consumer, about 19 pounds per capita. In Toltec and Aztec times. I was a measure of wealth. Today I inspire success and decadence
The answer to last weeks quiz is…MULBERRY….Congrats to all winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa, Matty, or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
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